Tuesday, August 10, 2010

FP morning brief 8/10

UN report reveals increase in Afghan civilian casualties

Top story: A UN report found that civilian casualties in Afghanistan increased 31 percent over the first half of this year, compared to the same period of 2009. However, the survey also revealed that this increase was largely caused by insurgents; the Taliban and its allies were responsible for 76 percent of the deaths, up from 53 percent during the first half of last year. 1,271 civilians were killed in the first six months of this year, and a further 1,997 were wounded.

Overall, casualties caused by the NATO-led coalition or Afghan government forces declined 30 percent compared to the same period last year. Casualties from coalition air strikes, previously the leading cause of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, declined 64 percent. Insurgents' use of suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices were the single largest cause of casualties in the first half of this year, killing 557 people.

The report, which was published by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, attributed the overall rise in civilian casualties to the more intense military activity of the United States and its allies. It also credited an order limiting the use of air strikes, which was issued by the former U.S. commander in the country, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, for the decrease in civilian deaths by the coalition.

Gates shutters military command: Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Monday that he would recommend that President Obama close the U.S. Joint Forces Command, which had been established in 1999 to coordinate training among the different branches of the military. The move will allow the Pentagon to cut the jobs of thousands of Defense Department employees and contractors.